Page:The princess; a medley (IA princessmedley00tennrich).pdf/61

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A MEDLEY.
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At point to sally, and settled in her eyesThe green malignant light of coming storm.Sir, I was courteous, every phrase well-oil'd,As man could be; yet maiden-meek I pray'd Concealment: she demanded who we were,And why we came? I minted nothing false,But, your example pilot, told her all.Up went the hush'd amaze of hand and eye.But when I dwelt upon your old affiance,She answer'd sharply that I talk'd astray.I urged the fierce inscription on the gate,And our three lives. She said we had limed ourselves With open eyes, and we must take the chance.But such extremes, I told her, well might harmThe woman's cause. "Not more than now," she said,"So puddled as it is with favouritism."I tried the mother's heart. Shame might befall Melissa, knowing, saying not she knew:Her answer was "Leave me to deal with that."I spoke of war to come and many deaths,
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